Adam was created by God on day six of creation and the next day was day seven, the Sabbath. Adam did not have to work for six days before he was able to have a Sabbath and worship God, he did that his first full day on earth! The Sabbath is also a day of rest, so man was created to work from a day a rest not the other way around. The following are just a few Bible verses on the Sabbath I think you will find helpful.
Genesis2:3 And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation. [1]
Exodus 20:8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. [2]
Hebrews 4:9 So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. 10 For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world.[3]
In our story of Moses and the Hebrews, the Lord tells us the Sabbath day is a gift. Exodus 16:24 So they put some aside until morning, just as Moses had commanded. And in the morning the leftover food was wholesome and good, without maggots or odor. 25 Moses said, “Eat this food today, for today is a Sabbath day dedicated to the Lord. There will be no food on the ground today. 26 You may gather the food for six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath. There will be no food on the ground that day.” 27 Some of the people went out anyway on the seventh day, but they found no food. 28 The Lord asked Moses, “How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions? 29 They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you. That is why he gives you a two-day supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out to pick up food on the seventh day.” 30 So the people did not gather any food on the seventh day. 31 The Israelites called the food manna. It was white like coriander seed, and it tasted like honey wafers. [4]
In our story the Lord is trying to teach the Hebrew people how important the Sabbath day is. Sometimes we take the Sabbath for granted or don’t understand how important it is spiritually and physically. It is a time to recharge our spiritual and physical batteries. Studies show when we don’t recharge ourselves physically and spiritually, we become unhealthy in both areas over time. God in his infinite wisdom knows what we need.
Our ministry loves to connect with our readers. If you have a prayer request or a comment, please let us know. Also, if this devotional helped you, please share it with others. Please take time to ask the Lord to help you to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy and make this one of your highest priorities. To hear more about this, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/the-footsteps-of-moses/testing-then-and-now
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.